http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
I have read poems at voluntary self-help groups from time to time. Many of the people who attend are on welfare and/or have
mental health problems and/ or alcohol or drug related problems. These are fine people, trying to help themselves and each other with precious little
help or encouragement from outside the group. It is inspiring to see them
pulling together in adversity and learning to take responsibility for
themselves and each other; a lesson the less enlightened among us would do well
to learn instead of preferring to pass judgement on others.
Help, encouragement, reassurance...these ARE all out there, but rarely will they simply knock on our door; we need to knock on theirs and find the words to ASK. I well recall how my mother once told me that life is no waiting game, how we have to get out there and live it, and that means meeting each other at least halfway.
A POSITIVE TAKE ON ADVERSITY or L-I-F-E, NO WAITING GAME
Coming together, supporting each other,
toes in the Sea of Life, getting a feel for the
swim
rather than drown
Making an effort to come down to a shore
where seaweed and shells on shifting sands spread
rather than stay in bed
A part of a life tide’s natural ebb and flow
yet frightened of its fickle nature, all highs and
lows
but a Hall of Mirrors
Alone, it is hard to bear the happy sounds
of children laughing, applause for ice cream
chimes,
hints at kinder times
In good company, easier by far to break free
of shadows stalking us, driving us to seek
sanctuary
in cages of our history
Together, let’s imagine wings, flex and fly,
take heart from songbirds rejoicing seashore and sky,
no matter where or why
As rough or fair as any sea passage may be,
let us look to fellow voyagers, let a creative
empathy
reconstruct our history
Coming together, supporting each other,
getting a feel for wings rising above, learning
how
to trust in Nature’s love
Copyright R. N. Taber 2007
[Note: An earlier version of this poem first appeared under the
title 'A Feeling for Seagulls' in Accomplices to Illusion by
R. N. Taber, Assembly Books 2007; revised ed. in e-format in preparation.]